The news that Mauer had been put through waivers Wednesday created quite a stir, as well as some confusion. Players routinely are put through waivers this month, as they must clear waivers before they can be traded (after the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline). However, running a player through waivers is hardly a precursor to discussing a trade for him.

Don't expect Joe Mauer to leave the Twins. (AP Photo)

"It's the rite of August," general manager Terry Ryan told the newspaper. "It happens every August. You guys will be asking me the same questions next August as you are now. We usually historically put our roster through waivers in August."

Mauer echoed that statement.

"From my understanding of the whole thing, it won't be the first time or the last time I will be put on trade waivers, so it is part of the game and I was a little surprised how much coverage and how many questions I was asked about it," Mauer told the Star Tribune.

Mauer, a St. Paul native, is in the second year of an eight-year, $184 million contract that will pay him $23 million annually through the 2018 season. That FOXSports.com report speculated that the Boston Red Sox might show some interest in Mauer, after having shed more than $250 million in salary obligations following their blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past weekend.

The Star Tribune notes Mauer’s megadeal includes a full no-trade clause, so if the Twins decided to explore a trade at some point in the next six years, he could veto any proposed deal.